3-18 Beach 87th Street

This remarkable residence was conceived as a place to step out of city life without stepping away from it, and for two decades, it has been just that. Custom designed and built as a second home and creative space for its original owners in 2004, it has become Rockaway’s most iconic and architecturally distinctive home. With a double-height great room framed by soaring 22-foot ceilings, walls of oversized double windows, plus an 850 square foot bright and open loft, it has been enjoyed as both a primary residence and the local go-to setting for art exhibitions, music performances, fitness classes, countless parties and networking events, and commercial and photo shoots. The current owners have thoughtfully upgraded this low maintenance home, and extensive repairs and resiliency improvements following Hurricane Sandy reinforced its already exceptional construction. Now clad in galvanized steel and raised 9 feet above grade, the structure is reinforced with concrete columns, a steel I-beam, and protected by a commercial-grade fire suppression system. Not merely a striking house, this is a thoughtfully built coastal property with the durability and foresight that distinguish it from everything else. Over 1,200 square feet of space on the ground level below the home solves one of the greatest challenges of beach and city living: storage. With 8 feet of clearance height, an enclosed workshop, storage shed, surfboard racks, and plenty of open space, there’s room to store boards, bicycles, tools, beach gear, and everything else. Indoor-outdoor living is equally considered with a spacious back deck, tranquil and beautifully-landscaped backyard, and seasonal hot-and-cold outdoor shower to make the transition from beach to home effortless. A separate freestanding structure, currently a rehearsal studio, adds another layer of creative and functional possibility. Situated on one of Rockaway Beach’s most desirable blocks, the home offers a rare balance: the ocean and boardwalk are nearby; Jamaica Bay, Bay Breeze Park, and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge invite daily contact with open water, wildlife, and low-density coastal calm. The nearby Wall Street Ferry, subways, and buses keep Manhattan work, culture, and city life within reach. With additional buildable potential of approximately 800 square feet of FAR (please consult your architect), this is a home with both an established legacy and room to evolve. This is not simply a larger or more dramatic alternative to nearby homes. It is a custom-built, proven, resilient coastal compound with a history of creativity, community, and connection, one not found anywhere else.